Studying public health in Norway gives you a strong foundation in health promotion, disease prevention, and health systems. Public universities in Norway offer quality programmes, and many master's degrees are taught in English for international students.
Degree levels in public health
You can find public health studies at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in Norway. Knowing which level fits your current education helps you target the right programmes.
- Bachelor degrees typically take three years and often require proficiency in Norwegian or a Scandinavian language for admission.
- Master degrees take one or two years and frequently offer English-taught specialisations in global health, epidemiology, or health promotion.
- Phd positions are structured as paid jobs rather than traditional studies, usually requiring a relevant master degree.
Entry requirements and language skills
Admission standards are competitive and depend on your previous schooling. You must meet both general academic criteria and specific language thresholds.
- General entrance requirement for bachelor studies usually means completing upper secondary education equivalent to the Norwegian higher education entrance qualification.
- English language proficiency is mandatory for English-taught tracks, typically proven through tests like TOEFL or IELTS with standard minimum scores.
- Academic background in social sciences, nursing, medicine, or natural sciences is often expected for master level applicants.
Tuition fees and living costs
Norway is known for historically tuition-free higher education at public institutions, but financial rules have changed for international students from outside the EU and EEA.
- EU and EEA students generally still pay no tuition fees at public universities, only a small semester fee of around 30 to 60 euros.
- Non-EU and non-EEA students must typically pay tuition fees set by each individual university, which vary widely by programme. Check the official university admissions page for exact figures.
- Living costs in Norway are high. You need to budget for housing, food, transport, and study materials, and prove you have sufficient funds to get your student residence permit.
The application timeline
Planning your steps early ensures you do not miss strict deadlines for international applications. Visa and residence permit processing also takes several weeks.
- Autumn admission cycles typically open in the autumn of the prior year, with international application deadlines usually falling between December and March.
- Submit all verified transcripts, language test scores, and passport copies through the official national application portals or direct university systems.
- Check the national immigration authority website for precise financial thresholds and document checklists for your student visa.
Common questions
Can I work while studying public health in Norway?
Yes, non-EU students with a valid study residence permit can usually work up to 20 hours per week during semesters and full-time during holidays.
Are scholarships available for public health degrees?
Scholarships are limited. Check the scholarship section on the specific university website or national agency portals for potential funding opportunities.
Do I need to speak Norwegian to study public health?
For bachelor degrees, yes. For master degrees, many programmes are taught entirely in English, though learning basic Norwegian helps with daily life and internships.
How Eduuro helps
Create a free profile with your field, education, English level and documents, and admissions offices that search for exactly that can find you and write first.
Rules, fees and deadlines change. Check the university's own admissions page and the official immigration site of the country before you act on anything here.